virtual field trip to india

I is for India: India For Kids Virtual Tour

Welcome to I is for India for the Global Children’s Book Club ! Today we’ll be going on a virtual tour of India for kids. Get ready for a fun and inspiring India virtual field trip – perfect for global education at home or for a India homeschooling unit.

You can find the full list of countries for the book club right HERE . Be sure to sign up for the email list to get all the information in advance and to receive fun extras!

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Here’s the 2020 global children’s book club discussion schedule .

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I is for India: India Virtual Tour for Kids

Featured india book.

10 Gulab Jamuns by Sandhya Acharya (Author)

Copies of the book are currently being reprinted in their third print! Autographed copies are available at sandhyaacharya.com .

Author Read Aloud

10 Gulab Jamuns Picture Book Discussion Questions

• How did Mamma make the gulab jamuns? What is something you like to cook?
• Have you ever wanted a treat so much that it’s so hard to resist, even though you know you should?
• Have you ever felt like you wanted to hide when you’ve made a wrong choice?
• What did the children do to help fix their mistake? Can you think of a time when you’ve done something wrong and sacrificed play time to help make it better? How do you feel when you apologize and fix a wrong choice?
• Have you ever had so many sweets that you don’t want any more?

Other India Books for Kids

India facts.

• The capital of India is New Delhi.
• The official name of the country is the Republic of India (Bhārat Gaṇarājya in Hindi).
• The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) is responsible for running the government. The President (Ram Nath Kovind) is the head of State.
• India has the 2nd largest population in the world after China.
• India is located on a subcontinent in Asia. The peninsula is shaped like a triangle!
• India borders 7 countries.
• There is no national language in India. The official language of the Union is Hindi (note: Hindi is the language, Hindu is the religion), and the official government language is English. States can choose their own languages.
• The currency in India is the rupee. $1 USD ~ 75 rupees.
• Most of India has a tropical climate, which means very hot summers, a rainy season, and mild winters.
• India is about 80% Hindu. Other religions include Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Hinduism has a LOT of deities that are common in Indian culture.
• The primary industries include harvesting raw material from nature, such as logging, agriculture, oil & gas, etc.
• Tamil , an Indian language, is thought to be the oldest language in the world. It is still spoken today!
• The oldest continuously inhabited city in the world is Varanasi, India.
• India has the second-largest English-speaking population (after the USA).
• India used to be an island! About 50 million years ago, that island collided with the rest of Asia to create what is now the Himalaya mountain range, the tallest and youngest mountain range.
• More vegetarians live in India than in any other country in the world.

Color in India on this map of Asia!

Asia for Kids: Flag Activity

There are 3 colors in the flag for the Indian Republic:

• Saffron = courage & sacrifice
• White = honesty, peace, & purity
• Green = faith & chivalry
• Ashoka Chakra (blue) = 24 spokes representing different principles (such as love, courage, patience, etc.) and also the hours of the day

Flag from HERE

HERE is a fun printable India flag coloring sheet!

India Virtual Tour to a Featured Landmark

The Taj Mahal is a beautiful and famous white mausoleum, or tomb, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The whole thing is made out of white marble! She died while giving birth to one of their children and he eventually was laid to rest next to her.

Jaipur is called the pink city because of the hue of many of its main buildings, including the Amer Fort and Hawa Mahal. It has beautiful gardens and a City Palace, and is the capital of the state of Rajasthan.

Featured Indian Artist: Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar was an Indian classical musician. He also wrote a great deal of Hindustani classical music. In addition to writing music, he was one of the most famous sitar players of the 20th century. He also often played with tabla players, a type of Indian drum.

Ravi started out in the arts as a dancer and toured Europe while dancing. But he soon gave up dancing to take sitar lessons. After completing his studies and working as a composer for a short period, he began to tour Europe and the Americas as a musician. He relied heavily on Carnatic music influences, a style of Indian classical music, especially from Southern India.

Ravi was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honor in India.

Featured Important Indian Person: Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas, or Mahatma, Gandhi helped lead India to independence from Great Britain. He was a proponent of nonviolent methods and inspired nonviolent movements for civil rights all across the world.

Gandhi was a devout Hindu and also was a trained lawyer. He lived in South Africa for over 20 years and learned about nonviolent resistance there. Gandhi did a great deal to help with poverty in India, and also supported women’s rights. He also ended sanctioning a group of untouchables, or people who were separated from society due to their background.

Gandhi’s birthday is a national holiday in India and is celebrated on October 2nd. It is also recognized around the world as the International Day of Nonviolence .

Featured Indian Food: Indian Recipes for Kids

Indian food tends to be heavily spiced with chili, cumin, coriander, and more. A food that is flavored with a mix of spices is called a  curry. Indians traditionally eat with their right hand, but many now use western utensils. If you don’t feel up to making a whole recipe, consider just smelling a few of the common Indian spices you may have in your cupboard! Many grocery stores also have frozen Indian entrees and naan bread, or you could visit a local Indian restaurant.

Here are some of our favorite kid friendly Indian food recipes!

• Simple and kid-friendly Instant Pot Indian chickpea curry ( Instant Pot chana masala recipe ). My 9 year old can make this recipe  on his own , so you definitely can, too!
• 30 minute dal
• Cucumber raita
• Mango lassi – an Indian mango and yogurt drink

Indian Craft & Culture Activity for Kids

Art in India is very old! It dates back to before recorded history. In fact, the oldest art currently known in the world was discovered in India in 1957.

• Discussion Question: What is a  petroglyph ? (rock carvings)
• The art consists of numerous cupules, cup-shaped depressions.
• These rock shelters are located in central India.
• Rangoli  is an art form in which colored natural materials, such as colored rice or chalk, are used to make beautiful patterns.
• Sculpture is also very popular and ancient people often made it out of bronze or terra cotta.
• Painting, architecture, and textiles are other important art forms in India through time.

Indian Petroglyph Activity for Kids

• A few large, smooth rocks
• Some smaller rocks with sharper edges
• Paint + paint brushes

Ancient petroglyphs weren’t just used to make a place beautiful. Instead, they were used to share ideas and messages. They used ancient symbols that are different than our own, but they may have shared similar ideas.

Discuss what different symbols mean in your family or culture. For instance, if you included a sun or a baseball bat, what would that mean?

Imagine you’d like to send a secret message to a friend or family member. What would you draw on your rock to send your message?

After discussing the symbols, create a few different rock art images. You may like to paint them, as well. Pass them around and see if others can figure out what they mean!

REFERENCE  for doing a petroglyph activity with kids

Other India Activities for Kids: India STEM and Craft Activities

• Learn how to wear a  sari  or  dhoti  with an old sheet. You can even design your own with fabric markers!
• Ancient Indian irrigation systems STEM challenge
• Build a Taj Mahal model out of LEGOs
• Design a poster for one of the animals in this  National Geographic documentary  about the world’s deadliest animals in India
• Create a  rangoli design with sidewalk chalk
• Republic Day  (Jan 26 – constitution came into effect and made India a republic)
• Independence Day  (Aug 15 – gained independence from the UK)
• Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday  (Oct 2)
• Diwali – festival of lights (an excellent book  HERE , or videos  HERE  and  HERE )
• Holi (spring festival, 7 minute  Holi video for kids )
• Ganesha festival

Consider celebrating Holi with your family. It’s surprisingly inexpensive and really fun – here’s where you can  purchase Holi powder  yourself!

Indian Crafts Activities for Kids: Indian Coloring Pages

• Hindu deities coloring pages
• Rangoli coloring page

Coloring page from  HERE

Animals in India

Hindus consider cows sacred. Because of this, they often wander in the streets in India and no one stops them! Some parts of India also ban beef for this reason.

It is also very common to see monkeys in India.

India also has a number of  endangered animal species .

India Movement Activities

Cricket and badminton are popular in India. Here’s a simple  badminton set  if you’d like to play on your own. It’s a perfect backyard activity!

The earliest known predecessor of chess was probably invented in India. If you’ve never played before, it’s a perfect time to try out this  Indian game !

Dance is also very popular in India. A couple of popular dance forms are Bollywood and Bhangra. Bollywood dance is typically used in that style of movie. Bhangra is a very active dance form with lots of shoulder and leg movement. Here’s a fun video to learn some bhangra steps!

Children’s Games in India

If you’re looking for some other ideas for Indian games and activities, here are a few simple and fun ones:

• Five stones

Kid Movies About India

Plan a Trip to India with Kids!

After having all this fun, consider planning a virtual or real trip. What sites or cities would you visit? What food would you eat? Here’s a list of  7 reasons to visit India with kids .

India Conversations with a Local: Culture, History, & Food Discussion Video

India for Kids Discussion Questions

• Mahatma Gandhi used nonviolent protest to help India become independent. Do you think this is the only acceptable way?
• What does it mean to be a vegetarian?
• India has many languages. What are the advantages and disadvantages of allowing states to choose their own languages?
• What is an Indian instrument you’d like to try?
• For which Indian animal are you most concerned?

Thanks for Taking a Virtual Visit to India With Us!

We’ve loved putting together this resource to virtually visit India. We’d love to hear if you do any of these activities for a homeschooling India unit, or if you visit in person!

We hope to inspire curiosity and connection through exploring and learning, and we hope this guide helps you and your families. Please share any activities you do with us over on our  Instagram . And we’d be delighted if you passed this India for kids virtual tour and homeschooling resource along to others, as well!

IF YOU LIKED THIS INDIA VIRTUAL TOUR, YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE POSTS TOO:

• GCBC Virtual Travel Guides
• 7 Reasons to Visit India with Kids
• 50 Easy and Hard Aspects to Visiting India with Kids

NOT READY FOR A INDIA HOMESCHOOLING UNIT QUITE YET? PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!

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10 India VIRTUAL TOURS to take now

If you’re longing to get a taste of India without being able to travel there in person (or even if you’re stuck at home in India), a great way to escape into a world of India’s finest sights, monuments and places is to go on one of these India virtual tours.

From Indian museum virtual tours, to Taj Mahal virtual tours, there is a surprising amount of 360 degree virtual tour India video and content out there, if you have a little time and know where to find it.

I love taking virtual tours not only as a way to experience India while at home , but it’s also a great way to start planning your trip to India. Discover some of India’s best known sites and cities to see if they make your travel shortlist, for when we are all able to travel again.

So, without further ado, here are some of the best India virtual tours that we’ve found that’ll help satisfy your wanderlust right now.

Are you looking for more India travel inspiration? Make sure you join our India Travel Planning Facebook Group here !

Taj Mahal Virtual Tour

We’ll start with the big one! If you’re looking to take a Taj Mahal virtual tour, Google maps has some nice footage and 360 degree photos you can scroll around to get into the details, too. The whole Taj Mahal complex is mapped on Google Streetview, which provides a nice reminder of what the Taj normally looks like, complete with crowds.

For something more structured, there is a collection of nice 360 degree videos available here , that give a nice intro to how the Taj looks from pretty much any angle. Our favourite, however, is Google’s Taj Mahal Tour from the Top which is available here . Or you can go for a virtual wander through the Taj’s gardens , or you can take a look at the history of the Taj Mahal with some beautiful black and white photographs in this ‘ Online Exhibit ‘.

Delhi Virtual Tour

If you’re looking to take a virtual tour of Delhi, India’s capital, there are also plenty of different virtual tours and exhibits on offer – ranging from you tube videos, to 360 degree photos and online exhibitions.

Some of our favourites include a look at the Lodhi Garden Monuments , which are located in south central Delhi and provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Old Delhi or Connaught Place (CP). The online exhibit takes you through the history of the monuments, their architecture and design as well as glimpses of the lovely park.

You can take an online look at big-hitting tourist attractions such as Delhi’s Red Fort or the beautiful Qutub Minar complex to the south of the city. Or for something a bit different there is also an exhibit dedicated to Delhi’s Baolis or Stepwells .

Mumbai Virtual Tour

The heart of India’s economy and (more famously) it’s film industry, we make no secret of the fact that Mumbai is our most beloved Indian city. After beautiful scenes of a serene and quiet Marine Drive during lockdown, we were inspired to go on the hunt for virtual tours that would share more of Mumbai’s beauty.

Some of our favourite virtual tours of Mumbai include a look around the iconic CSMT station (VT) , touring the caves on Elephanta Island , or you can take your very own (virtual) sunset stroll along Marine Drive , aka the Queen’s Necklace. For those interested in contemporary culture, there’s also an interesting virtual exhibit about street art in the slum area of Dharavi.

Golden Temple, Amritsar Virtual Tour

If you’re looking for a Golden Temple virtual tour, one of the best we’ve found is this one . With content provided by Incredible India, this online exhibit of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab is full of beautiful photos, information about Sikhism, and 360 degree footage, including a look at the huge hall in which the world’s largest lun gar (a free holy meal provided to all) is served to over 100,000 people every day.

Save me for later on Pinterest!

Bangalore Virtual Tour

The much less visited (by foreign tourists at least) than some of India’s other cities, Bangalore has a lot to offer and is a beautiful destination to visit – if you can get through the traffic that is. The best part of this virtual tour, Bangalore, is you can forget about any traffic jams and simply get a taste for what this southern city has to offer.

The best virtual tour of Bangalore that we’ve found so far is this one . Join TGF hosts for a glimpse at Bangalore’s historic districts, temples, IT Hubs and best food spots, the botanical gardens and Lalbagh.

Ahmedabad Virtual Tour

If you’re interested in exploring the western state of Gujarat, virtually (which you should be, this state has plenty to offer), Gujarat Tourism has a host of footage and virtual tours available on their website with 360 degree maps of many sites, including some of Ahmedabad’s historical monuments.

One of our favourite virtual tours is of the Rani Ki Vav step well in Gujarat, located to the north west of Ahmedabad and one of India’s most beautiful step wells.

Hampi Virtual Tour

One of southern India’s most popular tourist destinations and long a main stopping off point on the hippie trail, there are few things better than seeing a Hampi sunrise and visiting in person . Fortunately, in the interim, Incredible India has some good online exhibits and virtual tours to whet your appetite to visit in real life.

You can learn about the history of the lost city , discover the history and crafts of the nomadic Lambani people who lived in Hampi, or take a visual journey through the poetry of Hampi’s stone carvings .

Or if you still want to see more after those virtual Hampi tours, there’s a whole website dedicated to virtual footage of Hampi – Hampi360.com!

Jaipur Virtual Tour

Part of India’s famous golden triangle , it’s with good reason that Jaipur is one of the most popular places to visit in India for visitors. Famed for its colourful pink hued walls that surround the old city, and palaces and havelis galore, there’s a good deal to see in Jaipur. If you haven’t made it here in real life just yet, there are plenty of virtual tours of Jaipur on offer.

Learn about the women musicians of Rajasthan , all about making jewellery in Jaipur (Jaipur is famous for its gems trade), or you can even go on a tour of some of Jaipur’s most famous hotels. This video gives you a tour of the Taj Rambagh Palace hotel. For more grandeur, you can take in the famous Hawa Mahal palace on this virtual walk .

Or for more tours, Rajasthan Tourism has also been offering virtual walks around Jaipur, and is expanding more virtual tours of Jaipur and beyond to help satisfy our wanderlust.

Varanasi Virtual Tour

Varanasi – or Kashi – as it’s more affectionately known, is an assault on the senses. No matter how many virtual tours or videos you watch of Varanasi, you’ll only get a small taste of Varanasi, the rest of the experience has to be felt, smelt, heard and seen with your own senses.

But, virtual tours of Varanasi can be a great way to prepare for your visit and get to know more about the history of Varanasi, its rich craft and textile traditions, and the infamous Ganga aarti experience. For an introduction to Varanasi and its beautiful handwoven sarees, you can start with this online exhibit .

For more on the master weavers of Varanasi, textiles and sarees, you can watch this virtual tour . Or, for a more general look around Varanasi, you can find plenty of 360 photos and videos here .

Goa Virtual Tours

You might think what’s the point of taking a Goa virtual tour when I just want to be on the beach? And yes, we agree. But—Goa is far more than its beaches, as many of the virtual tours and online exhibits we found point out. If you’d love to know a little more about Goa’s history, Portuguese legacy, architecture, arts and crafts then read on.

If you miss the stunning 360 views of Goa’s beaches, forts and lighthouses, a great place to start is the Goa Tourism website which has a whole range of 360 panoramic photos .

To delve into Goa’s culture, there’s an online exhibit introduction to Goa here , or take a look into Goa’s beautiful windows and doorways, take a (virtual) walk around the Museum of Goa , or take a train ride past the beautiful Dudhsagar Falls .

Love these virtual tours? Why not share this list on Pinterest!

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Virtual Reality (VR) Tour of Taj Mahal

Virtual reality tour of taj mahal.

An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.

How to explore this VR Tour

• Click on the Audio (speaker button) to listen the background story.
• Click on the “Full screen” button on right upper corner to see the VR tour in full screen mode.
• Each Virtual Tour is connected through various 360 degree Panorama, so with the help of mouse curser you can move the Panorama (on laptop/computer) and with fingers on your mobile phone.
• Various markers are given to explore the VR tours: Click on the plus sign to read about the place, to see the video, photographs and even to attempt the assessment. Click on the black arrow to move forward and backward in a VR tour.
• Click on the black arrow to enter the tour.

Watch the video to know more about this VR tour:

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The 100+ Best Virtual Tours and Field Trips for Kids and Students [2024]

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1. Busch Gardens (Tampa, Florida)

2. cedar point (sandusky, ohio), 3. disneyland (anaheim, california), 4. hersheypark (hershey, pennsylvania), 5. knott’s berry farm (buena park, california), 6. legoland florida (orlando, florida), 7. peppa pig world (hampshire, england), 8. seaworld orlando (orlando, florida), 9. shanghai disneyland (shanghai, china), 10. six flags great adventure (jackson township, new jersey), 11. ski dubai (dubai, united arab emirates), 12. tivoli gardens (copenhagen, denmark), 13. universal orlando resort (orlando, florida), 14. walt disney world (orlando, florida), 15. warner bros. world (abu dhabi, united arab emirates), 16. wet’n’wild gold coast (queensland, australia), 1. georgia aquarium (atlanta, georgia), 2. monterey bay aquarium (monterey, california), 3. national aquarium (baltimore, maryland), 4. new england aquarium (boston, massachusetts), 5. oceanogràfic de valencia (valencia, spain), 6. s.e.a. aquarium (sentosa island, singapore), 1. the alamo (san antonio, texas), 2. amazon rainforest (brazil), 3. boston public garden (boston, massachusetts), 4. buckingham palace (london, england), 5. burj khalifa (dubai, united arab emirates), 6. christ the redeemer statue (rio de janeiro, brazil), 7. cliffs of moher (county clare, ireland), 8. colosseum (rome, italy), 9. eiffel tower (paris, france), 10. empire state building (new york, new york), 11. forbidden city (beijing, china), 12. grand central terminal (new york, new york), 13. the grand palace (bangkok, thailand), 14. great barrier reef (coral sea, queensland, australia), 15. the great wall of china (huairou district, china), 16. hoover dam (arizona, nevada), 17. international space station (low earth orbit, space), 18. jerusalem ( israel), 19. kruger national park (south africa), 20. leaning tower of pisa (pisa, italy), 21. the liberty bell (philadelphia, pennsylvania), 22. mars (fourth planet from the sun, solar system), 23. mount everest (nepal and china), 24. mount rushmore (keystone, south dakota), 25. mount fuji (honshu, japan), 26. nasa glenn research center (cleveland, ohio), 27. niagara falls (ontario, canada), 28. statue of liberty, ellis island (new york, new york), 29. venice ( italy), 30. the white house (washington, d.c.), 1. american museum of natural history (new york, new york), 2. boston children’s museum (boston, massachusetts), 3. the british museum (london, england), 4. children’s museum houston (houston, texas), 5. children’s museum of south dakota (brookings, south dakota), 6. the doseum (san antonio, texas), 7. glazer children’s museum (tampa, florida), 8. the metropolitan museum of art (new york, new york), 9. musée du louvre (paris, france), 10. museo frida kahlo (mexico city, mexico), 11. museu de arte de são paulo (são paulo, brazil), 12. the museum of flight (seattle, washington), 13. museum of science, boston (boston, massachusetts), 14. national air and space museum (washington, d.c.), 15. national museum of natural history (washington, d.c.), 16. national women’s history museum (alexandria, virginia), 17. picasso museum (barcelona, spain), 18. pretend city children’s museum (irvine, california), 19. the roald dahl museum and story centre (great missenden, england), 20. san francisco museum of modern arts (san francisco, california), 21. the strong national museum of play (rochester, new york), 22. van gogh museum (amsterdam, netherlands), 23. vatican (vatican city, italy), 1. black canyon of the gunnison national park (colorado), 2. crater lake national park (oregon), 3. death valley national park (california, nevada), 4. denali national park (alaska), 5. everglades national park (florida), 6. grand canyon national park (arizona), 7. hawai’i volcanoes national park (hawaii), 8. redwood national park (california), 9. virgin islands national park (u.s. virgin islands), 10. yellowstone national park (wyoming, montana, idaho), 11. yosemite national park (california), 1. camp nou, fc barcelona (barcelona, spain), 2. emirates stadium, arsenal fc (london, england), 3. hard rock stadium during miami open (miami gardens, florida), 4. maracanã stadium, flamengo fc (rio de janeiro, brazil), 5. oracle park, san francisco giants (san francisco, california), 6. yankee stadium, new york yankees (bronx, new york), 1. angkor wat (siem reap, cambodia), 2. the great pyramid (giza, egypt), 3. machu picchu (peru), 4. nijo castle (kyoto, japan), 5. the palace of versailles (versailles, france), 6. petra ( jordan), 7. pompeii (italy), 8. stonehenge (wiltshire, england), 9. taj mahal (agra, india), 10. templo expiatorio de la sagrada familia (barcelona, spain), 1. cincinnati zoo & botanical garden (cincinnati, ohio), 2. houston zoo (houston, texas), 3. san diego zoo (san diego, california), 4. smithsonian national zoo (washington, d.c.), 5. zoo atlanta (atlanta, georgia), final thoughts.

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When the world came to a stop and kids were getting restless at home, parents dreamt of the days when field trips were still something to look forward to. That’s when virtual tours became a relatively attractive alternative.

Now that the coronavirus (COVID-19) is somewhat under control and in-person visits are a reality, virtually visiting museums, parks, and aquariums can still be a great way to scout out your next vacation.

Many incredible places offer virtual tours, which are perfect for some pre-trip planning. We’ve compiled the ultimate list of virtual tours for everything from amusement parks to zoos so that you and your little ones can tour them from the comfort of your own home!

16 Amusement Parks With Virtual Tours

It may be hard to get the full experience of an amusement park from home, but thanks to some incredible videography, you can almost feel the butterflies in your stomach!

Here are some of our favorites!

Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida is known for its thrilling roller coasters. Now you can experience them from home.

Thanks to some awesome 4K footage uploaded to YouTube, the SheiKra , Kumba , and Cheetah coasters are waiting for you.

Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio is home to 71 rides, including the award-winning Steel Vengeance hyper-hybrid coaster. The second-oldest amusement park in North America, Cedar Point is known as “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World.”

Want to see why? Check out its official YouTube channel full of POV videos of the rides.

Disneyland in Southern California needs no introduction. It’s the only theme park designed and built to completion under the direct supervision of Walt Disney and has a classic feel to it despite the constant improvements. One of those improvements is Star Wars : Galaxy’s Edge .

Experience this intergalactic world and go on a video ride on the Millennium Falcon : Smuggler’s Run attraction.

Hersheypark is a family theme park about 100 miles outside of Philadelphia, and is, you guessed it, owned by The Hershey Company, one of the largest global chocolate manufacturers.

While you might not be able to go on a factory tour and tasting from home, you can grab a Hershey milk chocolate bar, sit on the couch, and take a virtual tour on 15 of the park’s roller coasters .

Knott’s Berry Farm is not what the name suggests, although it once was. What started as a small berry farm is now a very popular theme park full of attractions and entertainment for all ages in southern California.

If you want to check out the 10 fastest rides and roller coasters at the park , check out this YouTube video .

LEGOLAND gets overshadowed by a couple of other theme parks in the Orlando area, but this park is no joke. With some great roller coasters, including a virtual reality option , there is something for everyone.

If you are interested in VR, you’ll want to check out this video of The Great LEGO Race .

Hop across the pond and visit the fun little world of Peppa Pig and her family! Go for a ride on Grandpa Pig’s Little Train, Miss Rabbit’s Helicopter, and of course, jump in some muddy puddles!

Check out the official virtual tour video .

SeaWorld has made some serious investments when it comes to its roller-coaster game. Mako, Kraken, and Manta are a few of the top rides in the area .

Enjoy this 4K POV video onboard Mako from the safety of your own home.

Shanghai Disneyland is home to the world’s only TRON Lightcycle Power Run ride, though another is still scheduled to open at Walt Disney World in Orlando. It’s one of the best rides in the world, and many Disney fans admit that it is better than most other Disney roller coasters.

Fortunately, you don’t need to fly to China to experience this futuristic ride. You can ride along in HD thanks to this YouTube video .

Situated between New York and Philadelphia, Six Flags Great Adventure is a popular theme park thanks to its fast and high-tech roller coasters, family and kids rides, and wildlife exhibits.

If you are in the area, you can visit the drive-thru safari, but if not, there’s still plenty to check out including the world’s tallest VR drop ride free fall POV of Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom .

Dubai truly is impressive. Who would think that you could go skiing in the middle of the Arabian Desert? And not sand skiing — on real snow!

Thanks to some impressive engineering (and a hefty electric bill) visitors can take their shot at the world’s first indoor black diamond run .

Think we’re joking? Strap on your VR goggles and check out these 360-degree videos .

At more than 150 years old, Tivoli Gardens is the oldest amusement park in Europe . Besides the gorgeous decorations and history, the park offers dozens of rides for all ages.

Go for a virtual ride on The Demon roller coaster thanks to this fun video.

Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando have long been known for their excellent and thrilling rides. With near-constant updates and new additions being made, thrill-seekers are always in for a treat.

Be sure to check out these great videos of the rides including Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit  and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Universal also has some excellent videos on its YouTube channel with more rides and the very interesting “ The Science of Universal Orlando Resort .”

When it comes to theme parks, the gold standard is Walt Disney World. With that special Disney magic paired with some of the most sought-after rides in the world, you may find yourself taking frequent virtual tours.

While many rides generate hours-long wait times, you can skip the line and take a virtual tour any time that you want. Some of our current favorites are Star Wars : Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash at Hollywood Studios.

For the real Disney fans out there, it will be hard to run out of fun content. Be sure to check out this Disney On Stage educational content that is full of fun theatrical activities to do at home, broken down by age groups.

If you are feeling crafty, these DIY projects from Disney Family are sure to be a hit.

And, lastly, #DisneyMagicMoments is full of magical activities with everything from learning how to cook Disneyland’s Big Thunder Ribs to learning how to draw your favorite Disney and Pixar characters.

Hot Tip: Are you planning a trip to Orlando? Be sure to check out our article on the best places to stay in Orlando for your Disney vacation before you book.

When you think of the United Arab Emirates, the phrase “world’s largest” gets used a lot… and its theme parks are no exception. This time, the title of “World’s Largest Indoor Theme Park” goes to Warner Bros. World in Abu Dhabi.

Get comfortable and explore all of the park’s rides with this 18-minute long 4K video .

Who doesn’t love a good waterpark? You’ll find one of the best in Queensland, Australia at Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast.

With some massive slides for thrill-seekers to more family-friendly options, this park will give you one more reason to want to visit Australia.

If you don’t want to wait, you can go for a ride via this POV GoPro video .

6 Aquariums With Virtual Tours

With more than 10 million gallons of fresh and saltwater tanks, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta holds the record as the third-largest aquarium in the world (formerly the largest from 2005 to 2012).

With creatures from whale sharks and beluga whales to lizards and seahorses, this aquarium has much to explore.

You can check in on your favorite animals from home thanks to these awesome live webcams . The At-home Learning page offers lesson plans and resources and also provides updates and details for the animals in the facility.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a gorgeous aquarium on the edge of the central California coast. While you should certainly add a visit to this aquarium to your list (because who doesn’t need an excuse to drive the California coast?), until then, we’ve got you covered.

The aquarium has 10 live webcams that you can tune into and watch some of the most beautiful creatures swimming around.

Whether you want to check in on the penguins, sharks, sea otters, or watch the Open Sea Exhibit, all you need to do is click here !

The National Aquarium in Baltimore has over 2 million gallons of water and more than 750 species for visitors to learn about.

Out of all of the aquarium virtual tours, this is one of the best. as you can “walk” through all of the exhibits at your own pace and enjoy 360-degree views along the way. Start exploring now !

The New England Aquarium has everything for your virtual field trip. From live videos and demonstrations to activities to complete at home, you and your kids will be entertained for hours.

For more information, visit its website.

Visit Europe’s finest and most futuristic marine complex from home! Comprised of 9 elegant underwater towers designed by the famous Spanish architect Félix Candela, you may be just as impressed with the avant-garde architecture as you are with 500+ different species swimming around.

Take your own virtual tour .

The S.E.A. Aquarium is the world’s second-largest aquarium and is home to the world’s largest collection of manta rays in captivity , including the unique giant oceanic manta ray. With 49 different habitats to explore, you could spend all day here.

Instead, you can enjoy a virtual tour and visit the S.E.A. Aquarium Fun Academy, featuring arts and craft projects and brainteasers.

30 Famous Landmarks With Virtual Tours

The Alamo Mission in San Antonio is a historic Spanish mission and fortress compound founded back in the 18th century. In 1836, It was the site of the Battle of the Alamo. Today, it’s a museum in the Alamo Plaza Historic District.

Experience The Alamo in this high-quality virtual tour .

The Amazon Rainforest is one of Earth’s most precious resources and makes up more than half of the world’s rainforests, covering 2,700,000 square miles.

Home to an estimated 390 billion individual trees and millions of unique species from insects to dolphins, visiting the Amazon rainforest is an incredible experience. But an Amazonian trip can be quite expensive.

Fortunately, there is an incredibly in-depth educational VR experience available courtesy of Conservation International.

You can either strap on your VR headset or visit the beautifully done website .

The first public botanical garden in America , established in 1837, the Boston Public Garden is full of unusual plants, a lagoon, and the famous Swan Boats, which have operated for more than 100 years. A true gem in the heart of one of America’s oldest cities.

You can go on an interactive 360-degree tour of the park .

Buckingham Palace in London, England is the official residence of the Queen, as well as the administrative headquarters of the monarchy of the United Kingdom.

While this iconic building is open to the public for tours for only a few months per year, known as the “Annual Summer Opening,” you can visit year-round thanks to this virtual tour .

Measuring in at 2,722 feet tall, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai has held the record of the world’s tallest building since it was completed in 2009.

Design and architecture teams from all around the world worked together to create this massive structure built to withstand the strong desert heat and winds.

If you want to take a closer look, you can explore this amazing building via Google Street View, which allows you to check out different floors and even a view from a window washer’s platform up on the 80th floor.

Emerging out of the mountains, the Christ the Redeemer statue can be seen from almost anywhere in the stunning city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

The 98-foot tall soapstone statue is one of the “New7Wonders of the World” and is a symbol of Christianity worldwide.

You can now head down to Rio and explore this sanctuary via Google Arts & Culture .

Running along the ocean’s edge in County Clare, Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher make up 9 miles of stunning terrain.

With 1.5 million visits a year, the cliffs are one of Ireland’s most visited tourist sites.

If you haven’t been, you can start by taking a Google Earth virtual tour . Start at the visitor’s center, then walk your way down by the sea.

Located in the center of Rome , the Colosseum was the largest amphitheater ever built at the time (A.D. 72) — holding between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators.

The Colosseum was used for many things, including gladiatorial contests, dramas based on Classical mythology, and other events, such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, and reenactments of famous battles.

You can take your own Google Arts & Culture virtual tour around the arena’s underground, learn more about its history, and more.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris is easily one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. The 1,063-foot tower has 3 levels for visitors, with restaurants on the first and second levels and an observation deck on the top level.

Visited by almost 7 million people last year alone, it can get a bit crowded. Fortunately, there is a great virtual tour that you can take from home!

Enjoy 360-degree views, a sunrise, and an ascent to the top of the Eiffel Tower in the official virtual tour .

The Empire State Building is of the most recognizable buildings in New York City . The 102-story skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan is home to many corporate offices and 2 observation decks.

You can enjoy a 360-degree view from the 102nd floor thanks to this interactive experience .

China’s best-preserved imperial palace, the Forbidden City is a complex located in central Beijing. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, this historic palace complex was home to the former Chinese imperial palace and state residence of the emperor of China until 1924.

We have found an excellent virtual tour that allows you to explore the main areas of the complex, including:

• Hall of Supreme Harmony
• Imperial Gardens
• Meridian Gate
• Pavilion of Ten Thousand Springs

Although it is only the third-busiest train station in North America (behind New York Penn Station and Toronto Union Station), Grand Central Station in New York City has earned multiple landmark designations thanks to its incorporated works of art.

Not including train and subway passengers, Grand Central is one of the world’s 10 most visited tourist attractions according to Travel + Leisure, with more than 21 million visitors in 2018.

Take a stroll through this famous landmark via this virtual tour .

Located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand, the Grand Palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (now Thailand) since 1782.

The stunning complex of buildings welcomes visitors from around the world to see its famous temples, chapels, and more.

Take your own virtual tour from home.

As the world’s largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef stretches over 1,400 miles off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, and is the biggest single structure made by living organisms on Earth.

Fans of nature documentaries will love to hear the voice of David Attenborough as he guides an interactive, underwater tour of the Great Barrier Reef .

Experience interactive time-lapses, videos, and weather maps of Earth’s most bio-diverse ecosystem.

With sections dating back to the 7th century B.C., the Great Wall of China is recognized as one of the most impressive architectural feats in history. Combing all of the sections of the wall, trenches, and natural barriers, the Great Wall measures 13,171 miles.

Originally built for defense, then later, trade control, today it is best known as a tourist attraction.

If you aren’t planning on visiting China any time soon, you can take a virtual tour .

With more than 1 million annual visitors, the Hoover Dam on the border of Arizona and Nevada is one of the most visited dams in the world.

Spanning 2 time zones, this architectural marvel controls floods, provides irrigation water, and produces hydroelectric power.

Experience the Hoover Dam virtual tour .

A partnership of the U.S., Russia, Japan, Europe, and Canada, the International Space Station is a microgravity and space environment research laboratory focusing on a wide range of fields.

Although it is technically possible to visit the ISS as a “space tourist,” you may need to settle for this virtual tour instead unless you have $40 million to spend.

As a consolation prize, enjoy this video of astronauts playing with slime in zero gravity!

Located in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea, Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and is considered holy land to 3 major religions — Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

You can almost feel the energy of this special city when you immerse yourself in the 360-degree footage of this virtual tour of Jerusalem .

Kruger National Park in South Africa is one of the largest game reserves on the African continent with an area of 7,523 square miles.

Home to the “Big Five,” safari-goers will be excited to see lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, leopards, buffaloes, and dozens of other wild animals.

If you’re interested in checking out a safari, be sure to tune in to the WildEarth YouTube channel daily for sunrise and sunset tours.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a belltower famous for its lean due to an unstable foundation. Over the years, the foundation has been stabilized and the structure currently leans at 3.97 degrees. Visitors can climb the almost 300 step staircase to reach the top and view the city below.

If you don’t plan on visiting Pisa any time soon, you can take this 360-degree VR video tour from inside the tower or take a virtual tour of the grounds.

Famous for being rung to mark the reading of the United States Declaration of Independence, the Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American independence.

Built in London and now residing in Philadelphia, the mostly copper bell has been cracked and repaired multiple times during its usage and traveling tours between the years of 1776 and 1915.

Get an up-close look at this iconic monument .

Mars, also known as the “Red Planet” due to the color of its surface, is the second smallest planet in our solar system. With days and seasons similar to those on Earth, scientists have always wanted to learn more about potential life there.

Currently, Mars is being explored by a NASA rover named Curiosity. Curiosity is about the size of a car and has been on the Red Planet since 2012.

If you want to explore alongside the rover, check out this interactive tour .

At 29,029 feet, Mount Everest is the tallest and one of the most dangerous mountains in the world. This massive climbing destination located on the border of Nepal and China attracts adventurers from around the globe, despite its risks.

As of last year, more than 300 climbers have died trying to reach the summit due to altitude sickness, weather, and avalanches. Y ou can experience some of what it’s like to climb Mt. Everest without the ever-present danger thanks to some virtual tours that we found.

You can experience the climb with your VR equipment, but if you prefer to watch a video instead, check out this YouTube summit climb .

The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a sculpture featuring 60-foot heads of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln in the Black Hills of Keystone, South Dakota.

These 4 presidents were chosen to represent the nation’s birth, growth, development, and preservation, respectively.

If you’re interested in getting up close, you can actually “climb” the faces or take a virtual tour .

Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s “Three Holy Mountains” and is the tallest mountain (and active volcano) in the country at 12,389 feet tall.

Often depicted in artwork and photographs, this snowcapped symmetrical cone is easily one of Japan’s most recognizable landmarks. If you want to see what it’s like to visit the top of this majestic mountain, you’ll love the Google Street View virtual tour .

NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Ohio was created to develop science and technology for use in aeronautics and space. Needless to say, it has some pretty interesting stuff to check out.

If you want to see some testing in action, view one of 10 virtual tours .

Straddling the U.S. and Canada border, Niagara Falls is a group of 3 waterfalls that attract visitors from all over the world.

One of the most popular attractions is “Journey Behind the Falls,” located on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Now you can experience it in virtual reality.

Ditch the rain poncho and visit Niagara Falls virtually .

A gift from the people of France to the people of the United States commemorating the national abolition of slavery, the Statue of Liberty has come to commemorate ideals of freedom, democracy, and opportunity.

The Statue of Liberty was the first thing that most of the 12 million immigrants saw when they arrived at the Ellis Island processing site and is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world .

Get a close-up tour of Lady Liberty and learn more about Ellis Island .

Venice is perhaps one of the most recognizable cities in the world thanks to its canals being as common as roads are in other cities. This special city is made up of 118 small islands that are linked by more than 400 bridges.

While it may not be the easiest city to get around for some, thanks to the Google Street View tour of Venice , you can travel the canals, walk the streets, and cross the famous bridges from the comfort of home.

The official residence and workplace of the president of the United States, The White House has been the residence of every U.S. president since 1800.

The White House is the only private residence of a head of state that is open to the public free of charge.

Check out this excellent virtual tour of The White House by Google Arts & Culture .

Hot Tip: The White House is an incredibly popular attraction and tickets are in high demand. If you want to visit in-person, learn how to best arrange your tour and maximize your visit with our helpful guide .

23 Museums With Virtual Tours

“Ology” means “the study of,” and OLogy: The Science Website for Kids from the American Museum of Natural History focuses on the study of many topics geared towards kids, with games, stories, videos, and hands-on crafts.

The museum also offers 360-degree virtual tours of exhibits from the past, present, and permanent collections, as well as research stations.

The Boston Children’s Museum is an incredible option for parents looking to entertain and educate their children.

The second-oldest children’s museum in the U.S. is full of unique exhibits meant to teach our younger generation everything from racial diversity to science, arts, and more.

Take your little one on a virtual tour today! The museum also offers a Play and Learning Resources page featuring activities, teaching guides, curriculum, and more.

The first public national museum in the world, the British Museum is dedicated to human history, art, and culture, with more than 8 million pieces of work in its collection.

Highlighting over 2 million years of history, it is no surprise this is one of the most popular museums in the world.

Don’t wait — take your Google Arts & Culture virtual tour of more than 60 galleries today. The museum itself also offers 2 virtual galleries .

The Children’s Museum Houston is famous for its awesome exhibits and events, and they have gotten creative when it comes to going virtual. With options for learning at home , 3D Virtual Field Trips , and All-Time Access , you and your kids can stay connected and entertained from home.

The Children’s Museum of South Dakota is an incredible asset for parents and kids, and now families from around the world can take part in the creativity from home. 

The museum has created a Play Along at Home page full of resources and recipes for play! Even better, it offers a page just for parents to help with ideas for activities and more.

The DoSeum is well-known for its award-winning exhibits for kids and brings the same high quality to virtual content.

The museum has created an entire page dedicated to parents and kids to “ DO It At Home ,” which is full of DIY activities, storytimes, and more.

Glazer Children’s Museum has always had a mission of creating a learning laboratory where children play, discover, and connect. The museum has continued to innovate online.

The museum offers GCM at Home , a source of learning at fun for kids of all ages with experiments, recipes, games, and more.

While the largest art museum in the U.S. may not sound too exciting for many kids, the Met has put together a nice section on its website dedicated to getting the little ones engaged.

Check out interactive maps, a time machine, and videos on the MetKids page .

The Louvre in Paris is the world’s largest art museum at over 782,910 square feet and is also the most visited with 9.6 million visitors in 2019.

With around 38,000 pieces of work — including the famous Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Hammurabi’s Code — the Louvre is easily one of the world’s most well-known museums. Fortunately for art lovers, the Louvre has multiple virtual galleries on display to enjoy, without the queues.

View the Louvre’s virtual tour page .

Take a virtual tour of “the Blue House,” the former residence where renowned artist Frida Kahlo lived and created masterpieces.

Google Arts & Culture has created a Street View tour of Museo Frida Kahlo so you can walk through La Casa Azúl from home.

Head to Brazil, courtesy of Google Arts & Culture, and explore the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (Museum of Art of São Paulo). With more than 8,000 pieces of art, including paintings, sculptures, objects, photographs, and costumes, there is plenty to explore.

Start your virtual tour of 6 unique online galleries .

The Museum of Flight, located just outside of Seattle , is the largest private air and space museum in the world. With more than 150 aircraft on-site, the museum attracts over 500,000 annual visitors.

In addition to being a museum, the Museum of Flight also hosts the largest K-12 educational programs in the world, welcoming more than 140,000 students yearly through its onsite programs.

If you can’t visit anytime soon, you might enjoy the 360-degree virtual tour .

Hot Tip: Check out our guide to virtual tours of aerospace museums , covering aviation, military, and space!

The Museum of Science, Boston, dates back to 1830 when it opened as the Boston Society of Natural History. Now receiving over 1.5 million visitors annually, this museum (and indoor zoo) is one of the region’s most popular destinations for children and adults.

With more than 700 interactive exhibits and over 100 rescued and rehabilitated animals, visitors always leave wanting more. Conveniently, the museum offers an excellent virtual tour full of digital exhibits, videos, and audio presentations.

The National Air and Space Museum, which is part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., is a center for the history and science of aviation, as well as spaceflight, planetary science, terrestrial geology, and geophysics.

With over 6 million visitors last year, it was the fifth most-visited museum in the world, with tourists coming to see the Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, the Wright brothers’ Wright Flyer airplane, and much more.

You can take your own 360-degree virtual tour of the entire museum.

The 325,000 square foot National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. has the largest natural history collection in the world. With over 145 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and cultural artifacts, visitors come from all over the world to explore this special collection.

Open 364 days per year (closed on Christmas) with free admission, this collection can get quite busy with crowds. To avoid the rush, you can enjoy dozens of online exhibits that can all be accessed via the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History virtual tour .

Learn more about the brave women who educated, inspired, empowered, and shaped the future for new generations. With everything from the Civil Rights Movement to women in the Olympics, the National Women’s History Museum is full of well-curated material.

Explore the National Women’s History Museum’s 29 online exhibits.

If you are one of the millions who stroll through Barcelona’s Latin Quarter, you are sure to know about the Picasso Museum. Art lovers can take in some 4,000+ pieces of the famous painter’s work and medieval architecture in this impressive museum.

Fans of Picasso can enjoy the Picasso Museum virtual tour, which offers a large selection of his finest works as well as tours of the museum’s beautiful courtyards.

Pretend City is a great experience designed for kids to expand their imagination. With 17 exhibits including a cafe, farm, gas station, post office, grocery store, and more, your little one can explore a miniature version of a grown-up’s world.

Take an interactive tour of the Pretend City Children’s Museum .

Winner of the “Best Small Visitor Attraction,” the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre is the home of the late children’s and short story writer, Roald Dahl.

Take a step inside and see where he wrote manuscripts, business and personal correspondence, and his “Ideas Books.”

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Arts lets artists take over its website and create special broadcasts on its YouTube channel.

Check out multimedia features on the art and artists featured in the museum on its Stories page.

Known as “the ultimate play destination,” t he Strong National Museum of Play is built around research, exhibits, and other interpretive and educational activities that serve a diverse audience of adults, families, children, students, teachers, scholars, collectors, and others around the globe.

Thanks to a  Google Arts & Culture virtual tour , you can experience this incredible museum from home.

Housing the largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh, this Amsterdam museum welcomes over 2 million visitors per year looking to see the artist’s paintings, drawings, and letters.

Stroll through the museum at your own pace via this excellent Google Arts & Culture virtual tour . The museum’s website also offers a variety of tools for young children, including school lessons and coloring pages.

With multiple museums, the Vatican is home to some 70,000 works of art, including several of the most renowned Roman sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world.

Founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, the museums have been a stunning attraction for hundreds of years. Prior to the pandemic, the museums welcomed nearly 7 million visitors annually.

Take your own 360-degree virtual tour .

11 U.S. National Parks With Virtual Tours

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a national park in western Colorado famous for its steep cliffs and craggy spires throughout.

The Gunnison River has flowed for over 2 million years, carving its way through the rugged terrain, leaving behind a breathtaking combination of water, rock, and sky.

You can start your own exploration today, thanks to this Google Earth virtual tour !

This south-central Oregon gem is breathtaking. Crater Lake was formed from a volcanic eruption 7,500 years ago and has no connections to any rivers or streams — all of its water supply comes from rain and melted snow.

Not only it is the deepest lake in the U.S. , but it is also one of the clearest and cleanest in the entire world. Unsurprisingly, the lake and surrounding areas are very popular for outdoor enthusiasts year-round.

Country music singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley is ready to lead you on a 360-degree virtual video tour of the area.

Death Valley has perhaps one of the most recognizable names of all of the national parks. It is also the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S., so the name is fitting.

Despite the morbid name, this park has a great diversity of life, especially when rainstorms bring sprawling fields of wildflowers and oases for small fish and other wildlife.

At 3.4 million acres, stretching across the California-Nevada border, it is the largest U.S. national park outside of Alaska .

You can explore this massive park courtesy of this Google Earth virtual tour . Some of the highlights include the Devil’s Golf Course, Rhyolite Ghost Town, and some incredible canyons and dunes.

Home to the highest mountain in North America , Denali National Park in Alaska is a stunning combination of low elevation forests and snowy glaciers at the higher elevations.

This massive 6 million-acre preserve only has 1 road through it, so you will be sure to see wild animals roaming free and adventurists exploring the countless outdoor activities.

If you aren’t planning on visiting Alaska soon, be sure to check out the Google Earth virtual tour of the glaciers and the stunning Denali vistas.

Spread across the southern tip of Florida, Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S. In addition to being a national park, the Everglades are also listed as a Wetlands of International Importance and a World Heritage Site.

The unique network of wetlands and forests makes an ideal home for many species, including rare and endangered ones such as the manatee, American crocodile, and Florida panther.

In addition to being home to dozens of species of mammals and reptiles, the wetlands are an essential habitat to over 350 species of birds and 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish.

Start your own adventure in the Everglades on this virtual tour via Google Earth .

Hot Tip: The Everglades are featured on our list of the best road trips in the U.S. The Overseas Highway starts in Miami and finishes over 150 miles later in Key West.

One of (if not the) most well-known of all the national parks is the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. This park is a stunning 277-mile steep-sided canyon carved out by the Colorado River.

Just a quick (and popular) helicopter ride from Las Vegas, visitors can enjoy rafting, hiking, running, and camping along the North and South Rims of the canyon.

If you want to start exploring this incredible national park, check out this awesome virtual tour by Google Earth .

Located on the main island of Hawaii, the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park rests on top of 2 active volcanoes : Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world’s most massive shield volcano.

The volcanoes are home to some of the most unique biological, geological, and cultural landscapes in the world. Visitors come to learn about the volcanoes, their history, the local culture, and the incredible biodiversity on the island.

You can immerse yourself in one of the most comprehensive tours on the internet thanks to this Google Arts & Culture virtual tour .

The 39,000-acre Redwood National Park is located on the picturesque, rugged coast of northern California.

Home to the famous Redwood trees — the tallest trees on earth  — this national park is also home to wild riverways, vast prairies, and oak woodlands.

You can start your own tour from home — including a scenic drive through the Klamath Tour Thru Tree — courtesy of this Google Earth Street View virtual tour .

Famous for its white-sand beaches and excellent snorkeling, the Virgin Islands National Park protects about 60% of the island of St. John , about 5,000 acres of ocean, and almost all of Hassel Island.

“America’s Paradise” also attracts visitors for its sugar plantation history and ancient petroglyphs carved by the Taino Indians.

Thanks to Google Earth tour of Virgin Islands National Park , you can explore the park’s luscious forests, Danish sugar plantation ruins, and gorgeous beaches.

Stretching across 3 states (Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho), Yellowstone National Park was the very first national park in the U.S.  The park is centered over the Yellowstone Caldera lake, which is the largest supervolcano on the continent .

One of the more famous (and less threatening) attractions is Old Faithful Geyser , which is known for its regular eruptions.

Every year, visitors from around the world come to explore the thousands of other hot springs, geysers, and mud pots that dot the wild landscape.

You can now take your own Google Earth virtual tour of Yellowstone — complete with geysers, waterfalls, springs, and more — from the comfort of your own home.

Internationally recognized for many of its natural features, including its waterfalls, clear streams, granite cliffs, giant sequoia groves, and incredible biological diversity, Yosemite National Park has a lot to offer.

More than 4 million visitors travel to the Sierra Nevada of central California to explore the 748,000-acre park each year.

You can explore this park from home, including the iconic Half Dome and El Capitan monoliths, thanks to Google Earth’s virtual tour of Yosemite .

Bottom Line: You can enjoy the incredible natural beauty of our national parks without leaving home thanks to our detailed list of virtual tours of iconic national parks around the U.S. ! 

6 Sports Stadiums With Virtual Tours

The home stadium of FC Barcelona since its completion in 1957, Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Europe with over 99,000 seats.

Having hosted some of the most high-profile matches ever, including the European Cup/Champions League finals, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup finals, the opening game of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, and the football competition final at the 1992 Summer Olympics, it is easily one of the most famous stadiums in the world.

Experience what it’s like to walk around the stadium from the bleachers to the pitch thanks to this virtual tour .

Get a view of this gorgeous stadium from one of the 60,000+ seats in this 360-degree tour to get a feel for how big it is.

The club also has Arsenal Home Learning player packs available to download on its Junior Gunners site .

Changing names 8 times since opening in 1987, Hard Rock Stadium is best known as the home of the Miami Dolphins NFL team and Miami Hurricanes NCAA team.

The stadium can hold up to 80,000 fans depending on its configuration, which is quite flexible as it has been host to multiple NFL Super Bowls, MLB World Series, BCS National Championship Games, and is now also the home to the Miami Open tennis tournament.

Take a walk through the stadium during the Miami Open via this virtual tour of Hard Rock Stadium .

Step inside this massive 70,000+ seat stadium, home of the most famous football (soccer) club in Brazil, Flamengo.

A centerpiece for both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, this gem in the heart of Rio de Janeiro is on the bucket list for many sports fans.

Go along on a virtual tour of Maracanã Stadium .

For over 20 years, Oracle Park (formerly Pacific Bell Park, SBC Park, and AT&T Park) has been home to the San Francisco Giants MLB team.

The 42,000-seat park sits right on the edge of San Francisco Bay, making for some gorgeous backdrops.

If you are interested in what it would be like to attend a baseball game at Oracle Park, check out this fun 360-degree virtual tour .

The Giants have also created Junior Giants at Home , featuring learning resources and training from the Giants’ manager and coaching staff!

Yankee Stadium is one of the most famous baseball stadiums around. If you haven’t been, you can now visit the “Virtual Venue,” which has views from all around the park.

Start your own virtual tour of Yankee Stadium .

The Yankees also have a Yankees Kids page with at-home activities, games, activities, and more!

10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites With Virtual Tours

The largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia measuring over 402 acres.

What started as a relatively small tourist destination with only 7,000 visitors in 1993, the site received 2.6 million foreign visitors in 2018.

You don’t need to fight the crowds to see the temples, but this Google Earth tour of Angkor Wat may inspire some wanderlust!

The oldest of the 7 Wonders of the World, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3,800 years.

The Great Pyramid was built as tombs for Pharaoh Khufu and his wife, and construction was estimated to take 20 years due to the 2.3 million blocks of limestone and granite, some weighing as much as 80 tonnes.

Walk alongside The Great Pyramid and its neighboring massive pyramids from home via Google Street View Treks .

Just outside of Cuzco, Peru, this 15th-century Incan citadel is located almost 8,000 feet up a mountain above the Sacred Valley.

The site was virtually unknown to the outside world until 1911 when an American historian brought it to international attention. It is believed that the Incas built the estate around 1450 but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish conquest.

Experience Machu Picchu without the climb via this virtual tour .

Nijo Castle in Kyoto, Japan was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994 to help preserve this historic residence.

Built in 1603, it was the residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period until Tokugawa Shogunate fell in 1867. For a period of time in the 1800s, it was used as an imperial palace before being donated to the city and opened up to the public as a historic site.

“Walk” these special grounds via this Google Earth Virtual Tour .

The Palace of Versailles started as a simple hunting lodge, but when expanded later, became the principal royal residence of France. Eventually, the entire royal court and the French government relocated to Versailles as well.

Many notable historical events have occurred on the property, including World War I ending in the palace with the Treaty of Versailles. The popular tourist destination received nearly 8 million visitors in 2017 — more than the Eiffel Tower.

Take your own virtual tour today via Google Arts & Culture .

An ancient city established as a capital for the Nabataean kingdom as early as the fourth century B.C., Petra is famous for its sandstone walls and stunning carved structures.

On your Google Street View Trek , travel through the Siq and discover nearly 20 sights from the Treasury to the Monastery while learning about Petra’s inhabitants.

Pompeii is an ancient city in Italy that was buried in 20 feet of volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius back in A.D. 79. Excavators found a snapshot of Roman life as they dug out the city that was frozen in time.

With 2.5 million visitors annually, Pompeii is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy.

Take your own walking tour of this unique, formerly thriving town via Google Earth .

Stonehenge is one of the world’s most puzzling prehistoric monuments. While certainly beautiful, the more you learn about this structure, the more intriguing it becomes.

Now, widely agreed that it was once a burial ground, historians still don’t know how 100 massive stones were placed upright in a circle back in 3000 B.C. to 2000 B.C. — before the invention of the wheel or other helpful tools.

Take a stroll around this curious masterpiece on your own virtual tour .

The Taj Mahal is an immense mausoleum of white marble built in 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his favorite wife.

The Taj Mahal was designated as a  UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.”

Walk along the gardens in this stunning complex from home thanks to Google Earth .

The Basílica de la Sagrada Família, also known as the Sagrada Família, is a large Roman Catholic minor basilica in Barcelona.

Construction began in 1882 and has been slow, to say the least. When it was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War in 1936, it was only about 30% complete. As of 2015, it was estimated that the construction was only about 70% complete with a likely completion around 2032.

The inside, however, is complete and stunning. Take a Google Earth virtual tour or visit the official website’s virtual tour of 10 locations within the cathedral, including audio.

5 Zoos With Virtual Tours

Tune in to the Cincinnati Zoo’s Home Safaris , when zookeepers showcase specific animals.

The zoo also has a Home Safari Resources page featuring games, crafts, quizzes, and more!

Each Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. CST, the Houston Zoo hosts a Facebook Live event with the zookeepers and animals. Tune in to see what your favorite furred, flippered, and feathered friends are up to.

You can watch all videos, including past ones here .

The San Diego Zoo has put together a special page on its website just for kids . You can watch videos, read stories about animals, play games, and more.

One of the oldest zoos in the U.S., the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. is split into 2 campuses that are home to about 2,700 animals of 390 different species — about 20% of these animals are either endangered or threatened.

If you’re curious about what some of your favorite animals are up to, including cheetah cubs, check out these webcams . The zoo also offers a variety of educational at-home activities .

Are you a fan of pandas? Then you don’t want to miss Zoo Atlanta’s live Panda Cam . Check in on your favorite bamboo-chewing bear any time.

The zoo also offers at-home lessons that feature stories, crafts, virtual events, games, and a virtual petting zoo tour.

Even though travel has started to rebound, it’s always a good idea to do some research before your next trip.

As attractions start to open up again, you may have the opportunity to check out some of these virtual field trips in real life. So there is no better way to make the most of your trip than to build up some wanderlust and start planning which of these awesome locations you’re going to visit first!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the white house offer virtual tours.

Yes! You can “visit” the White House from the comfort of your own home for free. This famous presidential residence is normally open to the public as well, but why wait? Just click the link and start touring today!

What is a virtual field trip?

A virtual field trip is a guided virtual tour through some of the world’s most unique and interesting locations. We’ve put together a comprehensive list of everything from amusement parks to zoos, showcasing the best tours we could find on the internet. Enjoy!

What museums have free virtual tours?

Almost all of the top museums in the world offer some sort of free virtual tour. Sometimes that can be some nice photos, videos, or even a 360-degree photo tour. We’ve compiled some of the best virtual tour and field trip options for kids and students all in one place so that you can start exploring from home.

Do UNESCO World Heritage Sites have virtual tours?

Yes, many UNESCO World Heritage Sites have some version of a virtual tour. Many sites offer a Google Earth walking tour, while some others have more in-depth photography and videography. But you don’t need to go searching any longer: we’ve found the best options and put them all in an itinerary for you!

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About Chris Hassan

Chris holds a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management and managed social media for all Marriott properties in South America, making him a perfect fit for UP and its social media channels. He has a passion for making content catered toward family travelers.

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Virtual Field Trips

Explore the World with Virtual Field Trips

Designed for ages 9-15 but customizable for all ages, virtual field trips allow students to travel the world and explore natural environments without leaving the classroom. Each virtual field trip contains a video, teacher guide and student activities.

Working Trees: Reforestation and Responsible Forestry

Forests represent a powerful opportunity to pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, helping to cool our planet while also providing clean air, clean water, and habitat for wildlife.

Less Harm on the Farm: Regenerative Agriculture

Food is more than something we eat to survive; it's a part of how we thrive. Learn how regenerative agriculture can help us feed a growing population while restoring nature.

Climb-It Change

Explore how climate change is impacting alpine ecosystems and go on a climbing adventure with scientists who take you to some of the most stunning mountain ranges in the United States. This film is a Rocket Soul Studios production.

Protecting Our Oceans and Ourselves

More people rely on our ocean for food, energy, transport, recreation and other natural resources than any other time in history.

Climate Heroes: The Power of Trees

Trees are our climate superheroes! From Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean, trees are playing critical roles in cleaning our air and improving our resilience in the face of climate change.

You’re the Scientist! Citizen Science, Frogs and Cicadas

The conservation community relies heavily on volunteers not only to restore natural areas but to help gauge the success of restoration efforts.

Changing Climate, Changing Cities

Get a front-row, ground-level seat to the challenges cities face as they confront this force of nature, and discover the solutions experts are promoting to mitigate it.

The Secret Life of Corals

Learn how fragile reefs are being damaged by human activity and climate change, and how scientists are developing ways to restore corals.

Borneo: The Symphony of the Rainforest

On this journey, we’ll learn how experts are using cutting-edge science to find out how healthy the rainforest is—and to discover where it needs some help!

View from a Canoe

Can you imagine a place with 100 million acres of forest and 30,000 miles of coastline? It exists. The Emerald Edge is home to the largest intact coastal temperate rainforest.

Wild Biomes: America’s Rainforests & Deserts

Two wildly different ecosystems, both dependent on the same precious resource: Water. On this virtual field trip, we’ll travel to Seattle and Arizona.

The Coral Reefs of Palau

Join our expert scientist, marine biologist Stephanie Wear, on a virtual field trip to the coral reefs of Palau where you'll explore amazing underwater cities.

China’s Great Forests

Join our expert scientist Yue Wang, a conservation planning officer for The Nature Conservancy, on a virtual field trip across the world to two stunning provinces in China.

Powering the Planet: Renewable Energy

Join scientist Alex Wegmann as we embark on a Virtual Field Trip to explore a compelling question: How can we get the energy we need without harming nature?

Journey of Water: Colombia’s Páramo

In this virtual field trip, we will explore the magical páramo ecosystem and the stunning mountain landscapes found just beyond the capital city of Bogotá.

Peru: A Coastal Ecosystem

Join fisheries scientist Matias Caillaux to explore the Humboldt Current Ecosystem off the coast of Peru while learning about the area’s amazing diversity and productivity.

Ridge to Reef: A Virtual Field Trip to Hong Kong

The “Ridge to Reef” (R2R) concept is a holistic approach that takes into consideration all the environments within a watershed — from the top of the mountains down to the ocean — and shows that what happens on land affects what happens in the water.

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India: Virtual Field Trip

When you're exploring world cultures, there's nothing quite as educational as actually visiting that country and experiencing the sights, sounds, smells, etc. first-hand. Unfortunately, international travel with kids isn't usually a realistic option - so we've compiled a list of stunning video from YouTube to help you and your Little Explorer take a virtual field trip to India! We've included videos that show India's natural beauty, the busy city of Jaipur, the Taj Mahal, a ride in a tuk tuk, and more! Clicking the link below will take you to the playlist on our YouTube channel where you can view these videos individually or as a continuous stream - which would be a wonderful backdrop for a Indian-themed global dinner ! While you're on our YouTube channel , please take a moment to subscribe! We will be posting new content soon!

View the India Virtual Field Trip here!

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Field Trips

Inspire the next generation through a visit to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art. We offer a variety of educational programs for students at all grade levels, both in person and online.

Interested in reserving a tour for adults and university students? See our Tours page. Is your group planning to visit the museum without a tour guide? Reserve a self-guided visit .

Are you planning to visit the museum with a group of students larger than thirty? E-mail [email protected] .

• Looking for virtual field trips? Jump to our listings.

On-Site Field Trips

Reserved docent-led tours for grades Pre-K–12 are offered at 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:15 p.m. daily, except for Wednesdays and federal holidays. All tours are subject to availability. Each tour lasts approximately one hour, although length can be adjusted to group needs. Suggested tour size is thirty students. One adult chaperone is required per group of ten students.

• Request an On-Site Field Trip
• Review Pre-visit and Post-visit Materials
• Review Logistics PowerPoint
• Review Pre- and Post-visit Graphic Organizers

Grades Pre-K–2

Animals and nature in the arts of asia.

Why do people create works of art to express their relationship with nature? Through storytelling, movement, and close looking at flowers, plants, and creatures (both real and imagined!), students will discover ways in which artists express important ideas and feelings about the natural world. Students may “jump into” works of art and imagine what they might hear, feel, see, and smell; draw their own creature; and move and roar like a dragon.

Visit the Learning Lab for pre- and post-visit materials

Symbols in the Arts of Asia

How are art, architecture, and other media used to communicate concepts such as values, identity, and power? Students will identify and interpret designs and objects across Asia that reveal cultural associations and societal values. Students may conclude the program by drawing a symbol that reflects their identity or one of their personal values.

Ancient Civilizations

What can we learn about ancient cultures through the study of art and artifacts? Students will explore the cultures of ancient Egypt, India, and China through objects that communicate concepts of social order, power, values, and belief systems. Students may conclude the program by designing their own protective amulet or composite creature.

Customize a Tour

Do you have galleries, exhibitions, or cultures you would like your students to explore? Do you have a tour concept in mind you do not see advertised here? Select the topic for your tour or the galleries of your choice. Please be sure to indicate your topic, desired galleries, special exhibition, and other ideas in the “additional information” section of the tour request form. Our docents will work with you to refine your ideas and give suggestions.

Grades 6–12

Arts of devotion.

How does art preserve and communicate beliefs? Students will examine works of art from the major religious traditions and philosophies that originated in Asia to learn religious stories and devotional practices central to each. Teachers may request a focus on one or a combination of the following topics: Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam. Teachers may indicate which faith traditions they would like their students to discuss in the “additional information” section of the tour request form.

Limited-Time Topics

Art and archaeology of ancient china.

Grades 3–12 Available starting March 6, 2023 What can we learn about daily life in ancient China by studying its art and artifacts? Students will discover ancient bronzes, oracle bones, weapons, tomb goods, and more from the Shang dynasty as they tour Anyang: China’s Ancient City of Kings . Drawn exclusively from the museum’s collections, the exhibition will feature over two hundred objects that illuminate life in Bronze Age China.

Virtual Field Trips

The museum offers reserved, highly interactive, live online learning programs Mondays through Fridays, except for federal holidays. All programs are subject to scheduling availability. Programs can be customized to last from twenty minutes to one hour and will be hosted live in an encrypted, password-secured meeting on Zoom. Teachers and program coordinators may make specific requests regarding program length, platform, and interaction options. Participants are expected to be on camera and to interact with the presenter.

Choose from the following program topics or design your own program. Each program is tailored to meet grade-level and curricular needs.

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources: Learning Lab: Animals and Nature in the Arts of Asia

Artful Movement

How do the acts of participating in conversations about art and engaging in movement promote social and emotional learning skills? Students will pair breath, stillness, and movement exercises to recreate a work of art, to explore the senses, and to discover mind-body connections. Through close-looking activities, students will describe, analyze, and connect with a work of art.

This program was developed in partnership with the mindfulness education nonprofit Create Calm .

Lunar New year

Available December 11, 2023–February 23, 2024  

What is Lunar New Year, and how is the celebration similar to and different from celebrations marking January 1? Discuss the entertainment, foods, symbols, and other customs of Lunar New Year. During this virtual field trip, students will explore works of art . O ther possible activities include participating in an interactive storytelling session, completing a simple art project, or watching video clips of Lunar New Year festivities. Ring in the Year of the Dragon!

Cherry Blossom Festival

Available March 11–April 12, 2024

What is it about cherry trees, or sakura , that makes them so beloved? During this virtual field trip, students will explore hanami , the traditional Japanese custom of “flower viewing.” Through paintings, woodblock prints, and other art forms, students will discover Japanese symbols, values, and traditions associated with blooming cherry trees. Students may write poetry; learn Japanese characters; or “jump into” a work of art and imagine what they might hear, feel, see, and smell.

Supernatural Stories from Japan

Available October 2–November 30, 2023

How does art communicate how we imagine the supernatural? Students will meet scary ghosts, powerful demons, and comical monsters in works of art from Japan. Students will learn about theatrical plays and folktales that feature these supernatural beings and the heroes, guardians, and regular/everyday people they menace.

What can we learn about daily life in ancient China by studying its art and artifacts? Students will discover ancient bronzes, oracle bones, weapons, tomb goods, and more from the Shang dynasty (occupied ca. 1250 BCE–ca. 1050 BCE) that are featured in the virtual exhibition Anyang: China’s Ancient City of Kings . Drawn exclusively from the museum’s collections, the on-site exhibition include s over two hundred objects that illuminate life in Bronze Age China.

Eat and Celebrate

How does art help us understand the lives of people from different times, places, and cultures? Students will investigate scenes and objects of daily life in works of art across Asia to discover what people in the past valued and how they celebrated through food and rituals. Through the objects they examine, students will compare daily life in the past to how they live today.

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources: Learning Lab: Eat and Celebrate

How are art and fashion used to communicate concepts such as values, identity, and power? Students will identify and interpret designs and objects across Asia that reveal cultural associations and societal values. Students may conclude the program by drawing a symbol that reflects their identity or one of their personal values.

View works of art that students may examine with docents during the program: Learning Lab: Symbols in the Arts of Asia

Lunar New Year

Available December 11, 2023–February 23, 2024

What is Lunar New Year, and how is the celebration similar to and different from celebrations marking January 1? Discuss the entertainment, foods, symbols, and other customs of Lunar New Year. During this virtual field trip, students will explore works of art. Other possible activities include participating in an interactive storytelling session, completing a simple art project, or watching video clips of Lunar New Year festivities. Ring in the Year of the Dragon!

How does art communicate how we imagine the supernatural? Students will meet scary ghosts, powerful demons, and comical monsters in works of art from Japan. Students will learn about theatrical plays and folktales that feature these supernatural beings and the heroes, guardians, and regular/everyday people they menace.  

How does art preserve and communicate beliefs? Students will examine works of art from the major religious traditions and philosophies that originated in Asia to learn religious stories and devotional practices central to each. Students will learn to identify symbols and designs in artworks that communicate the values of these belief systems and faith traditions. Teachers may request a focus on one or a combination of the following topics: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Daoism, or Confucianism. Teachers may indicate which belief systems and/or faith traditions they would like their students to discuss in the “additional information” section of the tour request form.

View works of art that students may examine with docents during the program: Learning Lab: Arts of Devotion

Customize a Program

Do you have a virtual field trip concept in mind you do not see advertised here? Do you teach a language immersion class? Select the topic for your program or the works of art of your choice. Please be sure to indicate your topic and other ideas in the “additional information” section of the tour request form. Our virtual museum educator and docents will work with you to refine your ideas and offer suggestions.

Subject to availability, we offer tours in the following languages: Hindi, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin.

Scheduling a Virtual Field Trip

• Choose a topic, day, and time that work for your group.
• Submit a request at least four weeks in advance using the online form.
• Submitting a form does not guarantee a reservation.
• A virtual museum educator will follow up to request a phone call, a virtual meeting, or an email for more information. Please respond promptly to the email.

Things to Know

• Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis and depend on availability
• Please indicate any special needs as “additional information” on the request form.
• virtual field trips in some foreign languages (please specify)
• sign language interpreters
• Please call the tour scheduler immediately at 202.633.1012 or email [email protected] to report cancellations and/or changes
• To encourage engagement, we request that cameras be turned on for the duration of the virtual field trip
• To encourage participation, we request that teachers call on students to respond to questions and direct students to walk over to the microphone to share their answers
• Request a Virtual Field Trip

For questions about tours that are not answered here, call 202.633.1012 or e-mail [email protected] .

1050 Independence Ave. SW Washington, DC 20013 202.633.1000

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Virtual Field Trips: Ideas & Examples With Links for 2024

You found our list of the best virtual field trips .

Virtual field trips are class outings that take place online, via platforms like Zoom, Google Street View or websites. While some of these activities consist of pre-recorded tours and videos, the best options tend to involve live video feed and student interaction with guides. Examples activities include digital walks along The Great Wall of China and a scrollable deep sea dive. These activities are also known as “online field trips” and “digital field trips”.

These adventures are an example of online classroom activities and often include virtual tours .

This articles includes:

• interactive virtual field trips
• virtual field trips for students
• the best virtual field trip ideas
• free virtual field trips for kids
• live virtual field trips

Here is the list!

List of virtual field trip ideas

From virtual cockpit tours to online historical sites to do-it-yourself options, here is a list of ideas for virtual field trips to captivate and educate students.

1. Online Zoo (Behind the Scenes)

A digital zoo tour is one of the best virtual field trips for kids. While virtual trips may not let students see otters float, elephants play, and lions strut up close, a digital tour allows for more intimate behind-the-scenes access.

Your class can get close with the animals and walk paths usually reserved for zookeepers. While you may not be able to fit 30 squirming first graders into a baby animal nursery or an operating room, the guide can easily broadcast from these venues. Also, since the visit takes place entirely online, you can visit a zoo that is otherwise far from you.

Here is a starter list:

• San Antonio Zoo
• San Diego Zoo
• Cincinnati Zoo (self-guided tours, livestream safari and feeding times)

Many other zoos stream live animal webcams that you and your class can watch. You can also contact your local zoo directly to inquire about facilitated virtual tours and school group discounts.

During the online visit, your students can ask questions using the hand raising or chat features in the video conferencing platform. Once your tour concludes, your students can enjoy thematic snacks such as zebra cakes, goldfish, and of course, animal crackers.

Check our more virtual zoo tours .

2. Virtual Safari

When you do a virtual safari, your students can observe lions, elephants and other animals in their natural habitat. Wild Earth offers twice daily live safaris. Since the broadcast occurs on African time, your best bet is to tune in for the sunset safari, which live streams from 9:00am to 12:30pm Eastern Standard Time. The safari broadcasts from several nature reserves and features animals such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. During the tour, viewers can ask park rangers questions. The unscripted nature of the broadcast lends an element of excitement, since animal sightings are always a surprise.

Learn more at Wild Earth .

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3. Under the Sea Visit

Unless you are secretly Miss Frizzle from The Magic Schoolbus, you cannot whisk your class to the bottom of the ocean in a submarine. However, you can lead your students on an online field trip of the ocean.

The Deep Sea by Neal Agarwal shows all sorts of marine life in the ocean. Viewers can scroll deeper into the ocean, discovering the animals that dwell at each depth. For a fun pre-tour exercise, distribute a handout with the names of various species and challenge students to guess at which depth the creature lives. Then, check answers as you plunge further down into the ocean.

Journey to The Deep Sea .

4. Aquarium Webcam Livestream

The Monterey Bay Aquarium hosts live cams for animals, including sea otters, penguins, jellyfish, and sharks. Aquarium employees narrate during feeding time, so for maximum engagement consider tuning in during mealtimes. The aquarium website also offers free online classes for ages ranging from kindergarten to high school, resources for teachers, and crafts and printables.

Dive into the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s live webcams .

5. Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China

Your students can trek the Great Wall of China from the comfort of home. For $15, The China Guide offers a guided tour through high resolution images of the Great Wall of China via Zoom. Your students can also take part in question and answer sessions with an expert and have an interactive experience.

Stroll the Great Wall of China .

6. NASA Commercial Crew Program

Until recently, space wasn’t on the list of field trip destinations. NASA decided to teleport students directly to space camp by curating a virtual field trip that highlights its commercial crew program. Teachers can transmit a series of educational videos onto virtual reality sets to create an immersive experience. The tour guide leads virtual visitors through spaceship crew pits and launching pads while explaining the process of becoming an astronaut. The tour puts a heavy emphasis on STEM education and directs teachers to resources useful for supplementary science and math lessons.

Learn more about NASA’s at-home STEM activities .

7. Disney Parks Digital Tour

Most children dream of the day the teacher announces a field trip to Disney World. While students may not be able to ride teacups or roller coasters during a digital tour of Disney, they can still experience the excitement of the happiest place on earth by touring a high resolution Google Street view of the parks.

Students who have not yet visited Disney can see what the park is like, and those that have visited can point out sites and share stories. You can also include Disney history and lessons on the inspirations behind the attractions to make the tour more educational. Consider serving Disney themed snacks during breaks, and perhaps initiating a singalong during a music lesson. With the money you save on transportation and admission, you could even hire a beloved Disney character to pay the class a visit.

Learn more about Disney Parks Digital Tour .

8. Streaming Broadway Shows

Instead of escorting your students to a Broadway show, summon a Broadway stage to your classroom. Broadway HD has a library of hundreds of productions, including rare and obscure shows. While not in real time, most filmed productions on the site are of live shows. Your students can uncover hard to find productions and learn about American theatre history too. Broadway HD offers a one week free trial, as well as monthly and yearly subscription options.

Watch a Broadway show .

9. Virtual Reality Rainforest Tour

Even if you had the budget to fly your class to the Amazon, a real-life tour would be too risky for a field trip. A virtual tour lets students experience panoramic views of lush rain forests while learning about indigenous communities and conservation efforts. The tour is viewable as an immersive experience via virtual reality devices, or as a 360 degree video on regular devices. By participating in the Under the Canopy tour, students come to understand the importance of the rain forest and its connection to human life as a whole.

Embark on a virtual reality rain forest tour .

10. Computerized Cockpit Tours

Livestream cockpit tours make thrilling virtual field trips for high school students. While airline regulations call for restricted cockpit access, you may be able to find a private pilot willing to give your students a Skype tour of the craft. The pilot might even broadcast a quick flight.

If you cannot find a live guide, then the following organizations provide self-guided tours with pilot-perspective views of various aircraft:

• The Naval Aviation Museum
• Experimental Aircraft Association
• National Museum of the USAF
• Museum of Flight

Or, you could download and run a flight simulator that gives students the chance to navigate and land a virtual plane.

11. Living Rooms Around the World

A living room might seem like an odd choice for a virtual field trip, but a living room located across the globe is as fascinating as any other destination. You can plan a tour of foreign homes so that your students can learn how everyday life differs around the world.

If you know individuals in other countries willing to Zoom with your students, then you can reach out to these acquaintances and coordinate your experience directly. If not, then you can contact a foreign exchange program or local university for help. You can also watch the Life Where I’m From channel on YouTube, though live tours with question and answer sessions are more personal and immersive.

You and your students can also check out Dollar Street for a strong visual map of how people live around the world.

12. Virtual Tour of the Louvre

The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in the world, but many people will never visit in person. By taking your class on a virtual tour of the Louvre, you save airfare and time spent waiting in line.

The Louvre offers high resolution, 360 degree tours of various exhibitions on its website. Your class can explore Egyptian antiquities, classic Italian paintings, and the remains of an underground moat, all without leaving the classroom.

The Louvre site also directs visitors towards a downloadable “VR Mona Lisa” app that provides an up close peek at the famous painting, and other video and at-home experiences.

Visit the Louvre .

13. Online Tour of the British Museum

The British Museum’s online Museum of the World exhibit lets visitors view and sort artifacts based on time period, area of origin, and themes such as religion or trade. Each point on the timeline contains pictures, descriptions, an audio file, and links to related objects.

This format lends itself well to a virtual scavenger hunt . Solving an activity helps students focus and remain more engaged, which results in students learning more from the experience.

Explore the British Museum .

14. Digital Tour of the Van Gogh Museum

While the digital tour of the Van Gogh Museum fails to capture the paintings’ texture, it does offer contextual information on the artist’s most famous images such as Almond Blossom and Self-portrait With Grey Felt Hat . This tour also provides background information about Van Gogh’s life, with several narrative timelines.

Check out the Van Gogh Museum .

15. Google Meets Visit to the Guggenheim

The Guggenheim offers an interactive virtual museum experience. Booking a tour gives your class access to a guide for one hour, and your class will view three to five famous works and participate in an ongoing Q&A session. The museum educator facilitates activities that encourage students to engage with the art. All tours take place via Zoom or Google Meet.

Though the museum gears most tours towards grade school, they also hold separate online tours for university students and adults as well.

Book a Virtual Group Visit to the Guggenheim .

16. Computerized Career Days

Career day is a staple of the school experience. Typically, parents and community professionals visit classrooms to talk to students about various jobs. Online, these professionals can actually take students along on the job. Students can go to work with firefighters, underwater welders, cake decorators, farmers, or any other interesting vocations that do not mind taking the kids along.

Career days can be an ongoing series, with a five to 15-minute tour of a different workplace every session. This approach spreads the fun across a larger span of time by hosting a mini field trip every day, instead of condensing all the excitement into a single afternoon.

You can do online career tests too, or plan a virtual take your child to work day .

17. Remote City Tours

Tour guides in many cities offer a verbal history and visual slideshow via software like Zoom and WebEx. Remote city tours are one of the easiest-to-execute virtual field trip ideas. The guides already mapped the path and prepared the presentation; you only need to book the tour and show up with your class.

The crew here at TeamBuilding recently embarked on a virtual tour of Black Broadway in Washington DC and an online Harry Potter tour of Edinburgh, Scotland. Our team thoroughly enjoyed both tours and learned a lot.

18. Online Historical Sites

Many online field trips focus on learning about history. You and your class can visit significant sites all around the world and learn how these locations shaped modern history.

Here is a short list of historical sites with online experiences:

• The Sistine Chapel
• The Taj Mahal
• Ellis Island
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Gettysburg Battlefield

There are many other historically significant locations you can visit online.

19. DIY Virtual Field Trips

Some schools give students options to vote on the yearly field trip. Since online field trips use minimal time and resources, every student can design a dream trip. Instead of organizing a virtual trip yourself, you can assign the planning to your students. Every participant can design an itinerary by using Google Tour Creator .

Students may choose to explore areas such as the tombs of pharaohs, or the birth cities of American jazz. Your students will become the tour guides and teach peers about the chosen topic.

Most of these virtual field trips are available to anyone, and are free to access, meaning your students can visit or revisit the sites anytime. To make your activity extra special, seek out guide-led, live, interactive experiences so that your students can hold conversations with an expert. You can also supplement the trip with assignments and fun games.

Next, check out our list of games to play on Zoom, this list of Google Meet games , and this one with online art classes .

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FAQ: Virtual field trips

Here are some of the most common questions and answers about virtual field trips.

What are virtual field trips?

Virtual field trips are learning excursions that happen online through video conferencing software, livestream video, or digital map and photograph platforms. For example, a virtual zoo tour or an online visit to the Great Wall of China.

What are good online field trip ideas?

The best online field trips often revolve around experiences that are off-limits or logistically impossible for in-person visits. To keep students interested, these activities should involve interactive elements such as question and answer sessions, games, and special requests.

How do you do a virtual field trip?

The first step in planning virtual field trips is to decide on your venue and activity. You can choose between self-guided tours or live-guided experiences. Typically, live video and interaction makes for a more compelling visit. Once you choose your trip, pick a day and time for your visit and inform the students. You can plan additional activities like research assignments and presentations to enhance your student’s learning. You can also make the day special by providing themed snacks.

Author: Angela Robinson

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com. Team building content expert. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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Created by educators, for educators.

Hey, I’m Dale! I’m a traveler, educator, and parent of a special needs child. These three passions are why I founded Virtual Field Trips and created these videos for you to use in your classroom.

Visiting 40+ countries on six continents taught me the educational value of exposure to other places, cultures, people, wildlife, and landscapes. As an M.Ed. in Instructional Technology , I’m also passionate about serving other educators. And as a proud mom to a son with special needs , I understand the power of visual learning.

Virtual Field Trips and all its videos, quizzes, and activities are my way of helping you introduce your students to the marvels of the world around them, in a visual form that will engage and educate all your young learners.

It’s easy, it’s affordable, and, most importantly – it’ll help you teach your curriculum in the most fun & memorable way.

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House Full of Learning

Virtual Field Trips: Family-Friendly Online Tours for School & Home

Updated on June 19, 2020 By House Full of Learning Leave a Comment This post contains affiliate links which earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please read my Disclosure and Privacy pages to learn more.

Perfect for a rainy day, a sick day, or just an opportunity to travel the world without leaving your chair, interactive virtual field trips provide a fun experience for all ages. You can see the Great Wall of China, browse the Vatican, or check-in at your neighborhood zoo, without even going outside.

There are virtual tours for students of all ages, and they work well in many environments. They’re great if you’re a teacher looking to expand your students’ horizons from the classroom. And they work perfectly for a parent wanting some educational stimulation whether you and the kids are stuck at home or you want to include them as part of your homeschooling lessons.

Below, I’ve listed some of the best places to go for an informative online experience.

How Do Online Field Trips Work?

A virtual field trip allows students to visit a place and learn about how things work without leaving their classroom or home. Digital tours are done online, through pre-recorded, live-stream, and interactive 360° videos.

These online adventures allow kids to learn about the world around them in a visual and interactive way, without needing to travel.

Some of these online field trips are done by inspired individuals, such as a dairy farmer taking you through his farm. While others are created by dedicated educational institutions.

Paid vs Free Field Trips

Thanks to the extensive online world, many online tours are offered for free. These can mostly be found on YouTube, but there are also online institutions and schools that provide these at no cost. Free virtual tours mean that anyone with access to the internet can enjoy them.

There are also websites that require you to sign up and pay before you can access their virtual tours. Other websites just require you to sign up for a membership, no payment necessary. Paid memberships may offer more exclusive features, like downloadable resources, quizzes, and live guides on your field trips.

Fun Virtual Field Trips For Kindergarten Kids

Take a virtual trip to the moon ! This site offers activities and craft ideas, as well as a video of a trip to the moon for little ones to watch and blast off in their imaginations.

You’ll find a treasure trove of digital trips and tours on Kidvision Pre K’s website and YouTube channel . These are videos with kids in them, so you can simply join in on all the fun. There are trips to farms, a fire station, and even a chocolate factory (yum!).

Engaging Virtual Field Trips For Elementary Students

The VirtualFieldTripsnet YouTube channel is full of videos for school kids. They range from grades K to12 but offer some fascinating content for elementary grades. Their website also has paid membership options, which includes access to quizzes and other resources.

If you’re learning about U.S. history and Presidents, or just interested in seeing where the President lives, an online tour of the White House is ideal. Google Maps offers a 360° tour that gives an inside look into the famous house.

Discovery Education virtual field trips are great for kids of all ages but most ideal for elementary grades. They have live virtual field trips, as well as recordings of previous ones. The videos feature guides who explain everything and take you on a virtual learning journey. Additionally, there are extra resources and learning guides to go with them.

More Educational Virtual Field Trips

These virtual tours are both fun and educational. They can be done according to subject, interests, or just for fun, at a moment’s notice.

See the World & Its Most Iconic Sites

You can find 360° videos, photos, and time lapses on Airpano . These are created globally and offer tours and trips around the world. Some have a narrative, while others are just visual.

Step inside Buckingham Palace and see life from a royal point of view. The 360° tours are of the Grand Staircase, the White Drawing Room, and even the Throne Room.

If you’ve ever wanted to see the Taj Mahal, but haven’t made it to India yet, you can take advantage of the online virtual tour and see the impressive mausoleum for yourself.

There’s an online 360° view from the top of the Empire State Building , where you’ll get to experience the New York City skyline. Try clicking on the interactive hotspots in the picture to learn more about the city’s top attractions.

See George Washington’s Mount Vernon in an interactive digital tour . You can choose where on the image to go and there are hotspots that offer more information about important features of the house and surroundings.

The virtual tour of the Boston Children’s Museum offers a 360° interactive look at the museum and all of its exhibits.

Explore Art and Culture

Google Arts and Culture offers a variety of 360° virtual tours around the world. Stand atop the Christ The Redeemer statue or take a trip to Antarctica! The tech giant has an extensive library of content, and they’re offering it for all to enjoy.

Step into a virtual version of the Louvre in Paris and discover many of the famous exhibits and galleries. These interactive tours allow you to explore each room in a 360° high-quality video tour.

Step inside the National Museum of History in Washington, and all of its exhibits on your phone or laptop. You can also set up a VR headset and explore the museum virtually.

You can take a completely online trip to Museo Galileo in Florence. The website contains videos with audio that explore the different rooms and exhibitions in the museum.

The Vatican also offers 360° tours of its magnificent halls and museums. You can discover some of the world’s most prized artworks from the comfort of your home.

For older kids, especially musical children, this virtual tour through the Birthplaces of Music will engage and delight. Made up of photos, videos, and an interactive map, the tour takes you through Vienna, New Orleans, Cleveland, and Bristol.

Learn Social Studies

Visit Norway, Hong Kong, and Puerto Rico all in one day with 360Cities . These are an interactive variation of a 360° tour and video. You’ll be taken through various landscapes and attractions, with the ability to view the entire area by moving the view in the video.

Enjoy a 360° virtual look at the Great Wall of China . The interactive map shows off the stunning views and offers a unique look at one of the world’s greatest landmarks.

Take a walk through Finnish forests and explore the species of birds, insects, and plants that live there. There is a selection of paths to take, and each one is a video walkthrough of the forest, accompanied by the soundtrack of birds and nature. You’ll also see pop-ups on the screen of birds, butterflies, and other forest creatures in the virtual environment.

If you’ve ever wondered about how eggs get from the farm to your table, take a virtual egg tour from the American Egg Board. There are different options depending on age, grade, and more.

Immerse yourself into Canada’s farming industry with a list of virtual farm tours . From sheep farms to grain and dairy farms, these videos offer deep insight into the lives of the farmers and their farms.

Visit one of America’s most fascinating national parks, Yellowstone. These virtual tours show different parts of the park as you take a walk with the person behind the camera. There is no talking, so all you hear is footsteps and the abundance of nature in the park.

Discover more national parks in the U.S. and take virtual tours of places like Hot Springs, Crater Lake, and more.

Take a digital trip to Ancient Egypt and learn all about the pyramids, Pharaohs, and Hieroglyphics. Complete with a 3D interactive map of the temples, and plenty of interesting content around the pyramids, you’ll feel like you’re really there.

Thanks to National Geographic, you can visit the world’s largest cave, Son Doong in Vietnam. Go on an interactive 360° walk through the Garden of Edam and into the cave.

Dive into the Great Lakes virtual field trips , free of charge, and extremely educational. You’ll learn all about coastal wetlands, algae, and Lake Sturgeon.

You can sign up for an age-appropriate digital field trip at Longwood Gardens , which offers lessons about plants and gardens for all grades. You’ll have to book these in advance and note the age and grade of those participating.

Visit a Zoo

Sneak a peek at the animals in the San Diego Zoo and create your own virtual tour using their live webcams.

You can check out the live cams at Houston Zoo , too, and watch what each animal is getting up to.

Atlanta Zoo offers virtual events, like Endangered Species Day which comes with a list of activities to complete at home. They also have their Panda Cam which allows you to watch the pandas in their habitat while you’re at home or school.

Head to Dublin Zoo and watch the webcams of the elephant and penguin habitats, or check out the African savanna enclosure.

The Edinburgh Zoo also has webcams in many of its animal enclosures. So you can visit the pandas, lions, or penguins – among others from anywhere in the world.

If you’re in the mood for an Asian adventure, then check out the Panda cam at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo . You can watch the Giant Pandas play, sleep, eat, and just be cute.

Under the Sea Adventures

Watch the live cams at the Monterey Bay Aquarium where you can see the jellyfish, otters, sharks, and more of their underwater residents.

Why not watch what the sealife is up to at the Georgia Aquarium ? You can watch sea otters, piranhas, and a bunch of other captivating creatures enjoying their habitats on the webcams.

You can also go on a virtual field trip to Seattle Aquarium and learn all about the animals that live there and the humans taking care of them.

Take an immersive 360° tour of the National Aquarium . This exclusive trip will feel like you have VIP access to the Aquarium after hours!

The Maritime Aquarium also offers virtual programs for kids and their parents. You can sign up for these according to your kids’ age.

Go on a Safari

Book a free virtual live safari session on WildEarth , where kids can experience a trip out into the African bush and see the many wild animals that roam the land. There are also extra resources for kids to enjoy with the safari video.

Discover what a safari in Kenya and Tanzania would be like with these 360° tours of life around the African camps at Asilia Africa. See lions, monkeys, and herds of elephants, and view the gorgeous African landscapes as well.

Travel into Space

Future astronauts will be mind-blown by this virtual tour of Mars ! Learn more about how humans are studying the red planet, and take a 360° trip across the barren lands.

Enjoy a virtual planetarium experience with Stellarium Web . Your screen will turn into a night’s sky and you can learn all about the stars and constellations. There’s even an app you can use on your mobile phone.

Tune into a field trip you can only take online, and let the crew on the ISS show you around and tell what it’s like to be on the space station. There are a few video tours you can choose from, or make some popcorn and watch them all.

Head Off On A Virtual Field Trip

Field trips are exciting, educational adventures that add immense value to learning .

There are tons of free virtual field trips that you can take online with your whole family. These digital journeys offer a fun learning experience for kids of all ages. And they’re a great way to see and experience the world from the comfort of home!

Where would you like to take a virtual field trip?

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Virtual Field Trip India for Diwali Google Slides Digital Resource Activities

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Virtual Field Trip to India for Diwali

⭐️Let’s all take a field trip! In this Virtual Field Trip to India, students learn about the culture and traditions behind the Indian holiday Diwali! This virtual field trip contains embedded videos, images, reading passages, exercises, writing activities, and more.

⭐️This resource integrates a variety of social studies and reading skills. Students also complete reading and writing assignments along with watching videos and completing thought-provoking exercises. Incorporates key reading comprehension, writing, multimedia, social studies, and other skills.

⭐️Perfect educational activity for elections or learning about the government.

*Please note:  This resource includes YouTube videos, so ensure you and your students have access to YouTube before purchasing. Although great care has been taken to ensure all content is  appropriate for the stated grade levels, each classroom is unique and it is recommended that teachers review all content prior to use. This resource uses links to third-party content that may be changed or removed by the content owner. Links are reviewed regularly; however, if you find a broken link, please let me know so I can update the resource accordingly.

✏️ Google Slides & Seesaw Formats – These interactive formats are perfect for distance learning. Slides are interactive and can be used as a fun and engaging exercise within the classroom or remotely.

✏️ Engaging Interactive Maps & Virtual Video Tours  – Interactive maps & virtual video tours take students inside the action.

✏️ Reading Comprehension  – Integrates key reading skills like compare & contrast, multimedia, multiple sources, and more.

✏️ Writing & Science  – Virtual field trip helps students understand more about the world around them and uses writing prompts to explore their reactions and ideas.

What’s Included?

• India Video & Map
• Diwali Video & Graphic Organizer
• Festival Itinerary!
• Day One: Read Aloud
• Markets In India
• Day Two: Rangoli Passage
• Homes in India
• Day Three: Festivities Passage & Video
• Street Food In India
• Day Four: Gift Giving Passage
• Games in India
• Day Five: Passage & Reflection
• Make a Connection: Video & Graphic Organizer
• Send a Postcard!
• Other Places To Explore!

*Answer Key Included

Want to see this virtual trip in action? Check out my  video preview here .

This resource is suitable for the following grade levels:

• 2nd & 3rd Grade:  With teacher modeling, whole class, or small groups.
• 4th & 5th Grade:  Independent for on-level students.

Time to Complete:

This virtual field trip takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. The time it takes to complete can vary based on your students. It can be completed in one session or broken up into multiple sessions.

Copyright & Terms of Use

For copyright information and a summary of how this resource can and cannot be used, please review the  Terms of Use Page .

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• Aug 11, 2020

3 Fun Digital Activities for Teaching Ancient India

Teaching ancient history can be engaging, interactive, and full of critical thinking without a lot of fuss. I just wrapped up 3 complete virtual field trips to ancient India that I'm sure your students will love, and you'll love too, because they are totally low prep! Yay!

If you are new to virtual field trips, you can find out more and grab access to a free virtual field trip here .

These digital activities are versatile and are a great option for blended or remote learning. You could go through each section of the trip together with your students, or assign as an independent activity within Google Classroom. Directions, clickable links, and response questions are set up within the Google Slides virtual field trip.

1. Indus Valley Virtual Field Trip

In this virtual field trip your students will learn about the Indus Valley civilization through Google Earth ™ exploration, informational text, and critical thinking response questions. In this trip, your students will discover how people lived during the Vedic period through exploration of the city of Harrapa and the city of Mohenjo-daro.

Indus Valley cities were well-planned and set up in grids according to cardinal directions. Homes and public spaces were intentionally set apart. Cities even had a distinct water and sewage drainage system. During this activity, students get a chance to view these ancient ruins up close using the amazing features of Google Earth.™

This virtual field trip also includes a map in which students will locate and pinpoint each city before beginning their virtual adventure.

By the end of this digital activity, your students will come to understand what life was like during the Harrapan civilization in ancient India.

2. Konarak Sun Temple

Built in the 13th century kingdom of Orissa, the Konarak (Konark) Sun Temple was dedicated to the sun god, Surya. In this virtual field trip , students will explore and "walk around" the temple using Google Earth ™ exploration features. The features of Google Earth ™ are just amazing!

There are so many different places to "walk around" that I've taken the time to choose specific locations that will give students the best experience, while also being age appropriate. Within this virtual field trip, I've included clickable links that will take your students to specific viewing points. Throughout the Konarak Sun Temple there are many reliefs and sculptures depicting life during this time period. Some of the reliefs include musicians, dancers, mythical beings, birds, and animals, but there are also sensual images. I have done my best to ensure that each viewing point on Google Earth ™ is age appropriate.

In this virtual field trip , your students will learn the history of the temple and the significance of the chariot and horse design. Your students will also discover the various astronomical features that were well planned and designed.

3. Taj Mahal Virtual Field Trip

Virtual field trips are engaging for students because they provide an opportunity for students to take ownership of their learning. Two critical components that make a virtual field trip successful are structure and accountability. Each virtual field trip includes critical thinking response questions throughout the course of the trip. These questions are editable, so you can adjust the questions to meet the different needs of your students.

In the virtual field trip to the Taj Mahal , your students will explore not just the mausoleum, but the Great Gate, the Taj Mahal Garden, and surrounding complex. A map is included so your students can track their location within the complex throughout the trip.

By the end of this trip, your students will come away with an understanding of the purpose of this mausoleum, the significant features, such as the optical illusions, script, marble inlays and more. This trip provides lots of opportunity for discovery as they tour the complex.

If you are covering world civilizations this year and are looking for additional virtual field trips, you might find that these trips align with your standards or curriculum. If you don't find what you're looking for, I love helping teachers. I can be reached directly at [email protected]

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Virtual Learning Journey: Indian Mounds

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The Indian Mounds experience includes virtual field trips to Ocmulgee National Monument, Kolomoki Mounds State Park, and Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site.

Video Collection

Online exhibit, learning objectives.

• Explore three prehistoric Indian mound sites: Etowah, Ocmulgee, and Kolomoki.
• Examine prehistoric technology, innovations, and artifacts through videos, photo galleries, and 360 images
• Analyze prehistoric Indian society, culture, and religion.
• Engage in critical thinking with discussion questions that probe enduring understandings in social studies.

More Ways to Watch

Find this Virtual Field Trip and more resources on the App Store, Google Play, and Oculus store.

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